Reindeer (or caribou, they’re fundamentally the same animal) are frequently associated with the Nordic countries of Finland, Norway, and Sweden. They’re often semi-domesticated in Sweden, with somewhere around 250,000 living throughout the country.
With such a high population and the semi-domestication, it’s quite common to spot the animals in the northern or mountainous regions of the country including, like we see in the video below, near ski resorts. This video was filmed at Idre Fjäll, a ski/mountain resort located in Central Sweden. This reindeer is clearly quite comfortable with the resort and its buildings, as it enjoys a nice stroll through the main reception building to access some greener grass on the other side.
It’s pretty impressive to see how calm all of these people were around this reindeer, but it’s important to remember that they can still be dangerous animals and should be admired from a distance, not up close. The Swedish Tourism Association worked directly with the Swedish Sami National Association to develop specific guidelines on how to behave around reindeer in Sweden, including stopping, sitting down, and staying quiet when you see them in the mountains.
Additional guidelines include never walking straight towards grazing reindeer, always keeping your dog on a leash and close by, and always showing respect and consideration for the reindeer herders. If a herd moves away from you, you’re too close, and if a reindeer raises its head and tail while pricking its ears, it’s a visible sign of stress and you should move away. Remember that reindeer and caribou are treated differently country to country, and you should always be aware of the safety guidelines and rules for wildlife in your specific area whether living there or visiting.
